I was excited about Logitech Revue when I first saw it. I thought, finally, the Internet and TV will not only meet but play nice with each other. There were some great signs: simple interface with your new high def TV, seamless interface with the Internet, and packaged with 'Google TV' and visions of even more powerful search tools. I wanted to say more but this really required the experience. Fortunately, I was a pretty good boy last year, got a Logitech Revue for Christmas and can now speak as a true time traveler.
Usually I wait for those who want to be first on the bus to work out the bugs but this was a technology overdue. In a horizontal sense, this was a technology time warp because internet TV isn't new at all but we've been waiting for someone to bridge the service providers, reception devices, viewing technology and throw in some goodies to make it all worthwhile and on that note, Google TV and Logitech Revue have my vote.
As a boomer, my first hesitation is the installation process but this has left an indelible impression on all manufacturers. Their product simply won't be successful if it is difficult to install and if it takes several tries for it to perform as expected or produce expected result. Marry this consideration with the attention deficit society and you have the other 'must have' for a new product. New users will simply discard the new product if it is not working properly in the first few minutes.
Logitech Revue 'makes it' on this count. You can actually purchase a Sony TV powered by Google TV and the 'all in one box' experience is attractive to many. When I set up my Logictech Revue, I turned off my television and 'set up box' (for Direct TV). Then I unplugged the hdmi cable going from set up box to TV, plugged it, instead into my new Logitech Revue, then plugged Logictech Revue into my TV's hdmi port. It really was that simple. You are simply inserting the Logitech Revue box in between your current receiver box and TV.
How about the Internet? I think it's safe to assume most homes have a wireless router now. Your high speed Internet provider includes a router to accommodate your wireless devices. The Logitech Revue does have a network port if you want to physically cable your provider to the Logictech box but that really is 'it'. The setup instructions walk you through these steps, there is a step where it detects your internet connection and then it is a simple matter of learning their keyboard and the Google TV network family.
This, for me, was the only down side. Technically, I was introduced to Internet TV several months before when I noticed my new TV had a pc port on it. We were still waiting for our television service to be hooked up and I tried it out. I liked it! When our service was connected, the serviceman chuckled a bit like I was Rip Van Winkle.
'Yeah man, check out hulu.com'. I knew my favorite channels, PBS, local news, history all advertised their Internet link in the bylines. Everyone has a true Internet presence and this is the magic. You really don't need a special box, you really don't need Google TV to enjoy Internet TV. It would be like saying GM had an electric car over ten years ago... but the buying audience wasn't ready. Technically, Google's presentation filters a bit (including 'hulu.com' doggonit!) presenting only their network.
Being able to view Internet on a home TV isn't brand new either but you could also compare it to the first days of mobile telephones. Well, now it is happening. It is really happening. The technology is meeting the services, which is meeting local providers, which is meeting the production staff of... well everyone, everyone who wants to continue to attract an audience.
Because, finally, real Internet TV... is here.
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